As the official benefits website of the U.S. government, Benefits.gov provides information on government benefit and assistance programs. Benefits.gov, and its partner sites, GovLoans.gov and SSABest.benefits.gov, will never ask for any information that could be used to identify you (e.g., name, address, phone number, Social Security number, or bank accounts.) If you have been asked to provide personal information or payment to obtain government benefit information, it may be a scam.
Telephone scams are as numerous as they are dangerous, and the best way to fight fraud is to learn how to recognize it. Here are five important things to know, in order to protect yourself while you search for grants or other financial assistance from the government:
- Benefits.gov is completely free to use.
- Benefits.gov will never give you money for loans, grants, or government benefits and will never ask you for bank account information. In order to receive a grant from the government, you must apply for one.
- Benefits.gov does not accept applications at this time and will never ask you for personally identifiable information.
- Benefits.gov only corresponds with users by email in response to submissions to our Help Center.
- Benefits.gov will never call you.
Benefits.gov takes your trust and security very seriously. Please do not provide personally identifiable information or payment to anyone claiming to be Benefits.gov. If you have received suspicious communication that does not fit these guidelines, we encourage you to file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Complaint Assistant or view FTC’s 10 Things You Can Do To Avoid Fraud to better protect yourself.
